Beer and Food Benefits for Japan

Restaurant-goers and beer-lovers concerned about the terrible news coming in from Japan, take heart: There are things you can do in addition to donating to charity.

Grub Street brings word of an upcoming event devoted to supporting Japanese beer and sake brewers affected by the storm, including Kiuchi Brewery, maker of the delicious Hitachino Nest White Ale; Kiuchi estimates $125,000 in damages to its brewery. A moving note from brewer Toshiyuki Kiuchi reports that one local brewery was washed away entirely, and that his staff has been cooking for locals who have lost their homes.

Brooklyn Brewery is teaming with a number of brewers and food vendors to host a benefit on Monday, March 28. Tickets are $50 apiece, with drinks supplied by Brooklyn, Sixpoint, Lagunitas, Empire, Heartland, and Kelso of Brooklyn. Food will be courtesy of local Japanese restaurants, Jimmy’s No. 43, The Meat Hook, and the Waterfront Ale House. All proceeds will be directly deposited into a special fund set up by the US importer of Hitachino.

Also, those who can afford it might note that there are still over 30 seats available at EN Japanese Brasserie’s Wednesday night dinner hosted by Martha Stewart, with music by Wynton Marsalis. Tickets are $250 in advance and $300 at the door, with proceeds going to the Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund and the Japanese Red Cross. Small plates—honoring the affected regions in Japan—will be served. And the Times brings us a list of local restaurants that are donating proceeds of certain dishes and sushi rolls to relief organizations.

Please let us know if you encounter other restaurants sending proceeds to Japanese relief efforts.